Companion Animals

Dog Cruciate Ligament Disease - Treatment and Welfare

Cruciate ligament disease is the most common orthopaedic injury in dogs, causing significant pain, and surgical repair provides the best long-term welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture affects an estimated 1 in 50 dogs, costing the industry over $1 billion annually in the US
Labradors, Rottweilers and Newfoundlands are most predisposed
TPLO (Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy) and TTA surgeries achieve good outcomes in 85-90% of cases
Conservative management alone is inadequate for most dogs and leads to progressive arthritis
Both knees are affected in approximately 30-40% of dogs within 2 years

Welfare Considerations

Cruciate ligament disease causes significant acute and chronic pain. Prompt surgical intervention followed by controlled rehabilitation achieves the best quality of life outcomes.

What You Can Do

Seek orthopaedic specialist assessment promptly if your dog develops sudden hindlimb lameness
Discuss TPLO versus TTA surgical options with a veterinary orthopaedic specialist
Follow post-surgical physiotherapy protocols carefully to optimise recovery